United States Urges China to Address Fentanyl Crisis
The U.S. and China have extended their trade truce for another 90 days, as both countries continue their negotiations. However, a new meeting between the two nations to discuss the fentanyl crisis and tariffs is yet to be scheduled.
In the midst of this, the U.S. government has imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, including those implicated in the fentanyl trade. These tariffs, while part of the trade policy, are not directly aimed at combating the drug problem.
The U.S. accuses China of not doing enough to curb the flow of precursors for fentanyl. The synthetic opioid, up to 50 times stronger than heroin, is the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 44. Fentanyl is highly addictive and has led to a major drug problem in the U.S.
The Biden administration has also been addressing the fentanyl crisis. Criminal syndicates primarily supply the black market in the U.S. with fentanyl from Mexico. Just a few milligrams of fentanyl can be deadly, according to U.S. government figures.
In an effort to combat the influx of fentanyl, the Trump administration expanded visa restrictions, targeting family members and business partners of drug dealers in addition to drug dealers themselves.
While the tariff reduction between the U.S. and China is part of broader trade negotiations, it is not directly linked to the solution of the fentanyl problem. However, there have been developments involving tariffs related to fentanyl. In May 2025, the U.S. and China agreed to reduce reciprocal tariff rates for 90 days as part of ongoing trade negotiations.
Finance Minister Scott Bessent stated that the U.S. would need to see progress in fentanyl shipments over a significant period before considering a reduction in tariffs. The U.S. is linking a possible reduction in tariffs against China to concrete progress in combating the drug fentanyl.
The U.S. is tightening penalties for the fentanyl trade, aiming to address the drug problem from multiple angles. The ongoing discussions between the U.S. and China regarding fentanyl and tariffs are a significant development in the fight against this deadly drug.
- The U.S. government's employment policy has expanded visa restrictions on family members and business partners of drug dealers, as part of its efforts to combat the fentance crisis.
- The finance minister, Scott Bessent, has stated that any potential reduction in tariffs against China will depend on concrete progress in combating the fentanyl trade, connecting the general-news topic of finance with the politics of international relations and crime-and-justice.
